What Are Assistive Devices?

everydayhealth.com

Assistive devices are products that can assist a person to perform a particular task. These tools, which range from canes and magnifying glasses to smartphone apps and electric wheelchairs, can enhance accessibility and independence for people with challenges due to disability, illness, or age.

What Are Assistive Devices?
There are several different families of assistive devices.
Assistive technologies are technology-related tools, from low-tech devices like magnifying glasses for people with low vision to high-tech devices like computerized communication systems for those who are unable to speak with their own voice.
Adaptive equipment includes simple tools or devices that can make the environment safer for a person who is disabled, ill, or elderly. This includes mobility aids like wheelchairs and bathroom modifications like bathroom grab bars.
Durable medical equipment is for extended or everyday use and must be prescribed by a doctor. Examples of durable medical equipment are walkers and wheelchairs.
Disability aids and accessibility tools such as these help people with physical challenges participate in everyday life activities, including work, school, and leisure.
Assistive devices can be used permanently or temporarily, such as when recovering from surgery.

Everyday Health

Mobility Aids
Low mobility has a massive impact on quality of life.
Mobility aids help people walk or move more. You might use them temporarily to recover from a fall or broken bone, or you might use them on an ongoing basis if you have a chronic condition that limits your ability to walk, like multiple sclerosis. These aids can range from assistive equipment like canes to products that replace walking, like electric wheelchairs. 

Some of the most common mobility aids include the following: 
Manual wheelchairs: Wheelchairs a person pushes with their own hands.
Transport wheelchairs: Wheelchairs that must be pushed by someone walking behind.
Electric wheelchairs: Battery-powered wheelchairs that can be controlled by the person sitting in them or a nearby caregiver.
Walkers: Stable aids that can have two front wheels or no wheels.
Rollators: More mobile walkers, with three or four wheels.
Mobility scooters: Electric scooters for a wide variety of uses, including compact travel scooters, indoor scooters, and heavy-duty scooters that can carry up to 500 pounds.
Canes: Walking aids that provide better walking stability and balance, with either a single tip or more for extra support.
Braces and splints: Aids that help keep muscles flexible, reduce pain, and can improve mobility for people with chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Daily Living Aids
There are many tools and devices to help people accomplish daily activities, such as eating, bathing, dressing, and using the toilet.

Tools for Physical Independence
Adaptive tools can help people complete many tasks, including:
Dressing: Sock aids, long-handled shoehorns, and dressing sticks to help put on or remove clothing
Bathing: Grab bars, toilet risers, anti-slip mats, shower or tub chairs, and handheld shower heads
Toileting: Commodes and leg straps
Eating and cooking: Non-skid bowls, plate guards, and adaptive utensils
Reaching: Specialized handles or grips and reach extenders
Sitting and lying down: Positioning pillows, wedges, specialty chairs, and adjustable beds
Driving a car: Ramps, swivel seats, assistance straps and rings, seat belt modifications, and hand and foot controls
Walking: Slip-on orthotic inserts and orthopedic shoes.

Cognitive Aids
Certain tools can help people with memory problems:
Electronic pill dispensers: These devices can be programmed to organize, schedule, and deliver medication to a person.
Smartphone apps: Alarms and notifications can help people with poor memory, and tracking apps can locate a person, in case they wander.
Communication Devices
Communication devices can help people who have trouble hearing, reading, and speaking.

Hearing Aids
People with hearing loss have several assistive device options based on the severity of their impairment. 
Hearing amplifiers: Headphones attached to a small battery-powered amplifier box can help people hear quiet sounds in certain situations, but are not intended for chronic hearing loss.
Digital hearing aids: These small electronic devices fit in or behind the ear, amplifying sounds while cutting down on background noise in loud situations.
Cochlear implant: These implants use electrodes to stimulate the nerves that help with hearing, and are intended for people with severe hearing loss.
Assistive listening devices: Some hearing aids and cochlear implants can link directly into a sound system, using wires, FM radio, or Bluetooth.

Vision Aids
People with low vision can benefit from tools such as:
Big button phones: This can make dialing the phone easier.
Magnifying glasses: Whether handheld, mounted on glasses, or electro-optical, magnifying glasses can help people read text in normal print, such as newspapers.
Computer aids: Screen-reading software, screen enhancers, and screen magnification can help people use computers.
Talking watches: Some wristwatches can announce the time and date with the push of a button.
Braille devices: Electronic Braille display pads connect to another device such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Communication Aids
Communication aids can help people with speech impairments communicate. Some of these include:
Communication boards: These are boards that display photos, symbols, or illustrations. A person can point to what they are trying to express.
Voice amplifiers: These microphones are designed to help those with weak voices speak more clearly.
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices: AAC devices are tablets or laptops that can generate speech.

How to Rent or Purchase Assistive Devices
If you're interested in renting or purchasing assistive devices, talk to your doctor, physical therapist, or occupational therapist first. Your best bet for finding affordable assistance is through your healthcare providers.

Unfortunately, not all these devices are given through a prescription, and it's often up to the individual (or their family) to find and purchase the equipment.

Check with your insurance company on what they will reimburse before you make a purchase. "While Medicare and most other major insurers typically offer reimbursement for durable medical equipment, coverage for assistive devices isn't always as robust," says Brittany Ferri, PhD, an occupational therapist in private practice in Rochester, New York.

If your insurer cannot cover the cost of a device, they might be able to connect you with an organization that can. "Some insurance companies will offer information to give people a head start in finding these devices if they don't offer coverage themselves," says Dr. Ferri.

If you cannot afford to pay for an assistive device out of pocket, charitable organizations may be able to help: 
Lending libraries at churches or hospitals
Nonprofit organizations that gather used assistive devices and durable medical equipment, including MedShare, the Senior Resource Association, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and local advocacy groups
State-level assistive technology programs, which offer device loans and training
National diagnosis-specific organizations that offer grant programs for assistive devices

The Takeaway
There are many types of assistive devices for people with physical and cognitive limitations, whether their needs are temporary or long-term. These devices can help people with physical and cognitive challenges live a full and independent life, and better connect with others. To rent or purchase assistive devices, start by talking to your healthcare provider and insurer; there are many nonprofit services that can help as well.

Sandi Hewins